Dustin Diamond, known to millions as the lovable nerd Screech Powers from “Saved by the Bell,” purchased his Wisconsin house in 2003. The 3,000-square-foot home sat on Grandview Drive in Port Washington, a peaceful suburb north of Milwaukee along Lake Michigan’s shoreline.
The actor put down $68,000 toward the $340,000 property, making it his primary residence for over 15 years. Diamond’s choice to settle in this quiet lakeside community surprised many fans who expected the TV star to remain in California, unlike Ellen DeGeneres’ house, which sits firmly in the celebrity-filled landscape of Southern California.
Port Washington neighbors described Diamond as friendly yet private. Some shared drinks with him on their porches, while others recalled lending him lawn equipment and engaging in typical neighborly interactions throughout his time there.
The four-bedroom, 3.5-bathroom house featured multiple fireplaces, a three-car garage, and sat on just over half an acre of land. From the outside, it appeared to be a typical suburban home in an upscale neighborhood.
Financial Struggles
By 2006, just three years after buying the home, Diamond faced serious financial difficulties. The former child star launched an unusual fundraising effort to avoid foreclosure on his Wisconsin property.
Diamond appeared on “The Howard Stern Show” asking listeners to purchase T-shirts reading “I paid $15.00 to save Screeech’s house.” The extra “e” was added for copyright reasons, revealing his marketing savvy despite financial troubles.
He hoped to sell 30,000 shirts to raise $250,000 and prevent the bank from taking his home. This public plea highlighted the financial struggles many former child actors face after their early success fades away.
The “Save Screech’s House” campaign represented just one chapter in Diamond’s complicated relationship with fame and finances. Despite his efforts, money problems would continue to follow him throughout his ownership of the property.
Abandonment and Deterioration
In 2018, Diamond relocated to Florida, leaving his Wisconsin home behind. The property sat vacant for over a year before a water main break in winter 2019 caused significant damage throughout the main floor and basement.
Diamond never returned to assess or repair the damage. According to reports, a friend informed him that the burst pipe had created black mold issues, and Diamond had planned to wait for the ice to melt before returning.
The COVID-19 pandemic further complicated his plans to revisit the property. By 2020, Wells Fargo had begun foreclosure proceedings as Diamond had fallen behind on mortgage payments.
When the house was finally listed for sale in 2020, real estate photos revealed a startling sight. The once-family home had deteriorated into a cluttered, damaged space frozen in what one report called a “permanent state of Halloween Express.”
What Was Left Behind
The interior of Diamond’s abandoned house told a story of hasty departure and neglect. Photos and videos of the property shocked fans when they circulated online, showing rooms filled with clutter and personal belongings.
Halloween decorations remained scattered throughout the house, with spooky decor seemingly a year-round aesthetic choice for the former actor. Trash littered flat surfaces throughout the home, creating a chaotic scene.
One bathroom was particularly disturbing, with personal items strewn about and evidence suggesting Diamond may have had an untrained pet in the home. The state of disarray hinted at possible struggles beyond just financial problems.
Bottles, cans, and fast food containers added to the sense of abandonment. The house presented as a sad reflection of Diamond’s later years, far removed from his earlier television success.
The Property’s Fate
Listed at $280,000, the real estate description candidly described the property as needing rehabilitation. The listing prominently mentioned its celebrity ownership while acknowledging the extensive water damage that plagued the structure.
The house sat on the market for nearly two years before finally selling in May 2022 for $276,400. A real estate developer purchased the property with plans to demolish the structure and develop it for commercial use.
Diamond owed approximately $269,326 to Wells Fargo at the time of sale. The sale price barely covered his outstanding mortgage debt, leaving little financial benefit for the actor’s estate.
The fate of the house paralleled Diamond’s own tragic story, as he passed away from cancer in February 2021, months before the property would finally sell. At just 44 years old, his death came only three weeks after his diagnosis.
Diamond’s Final Years
Diamond’s move to Florida in 2018 marked the beginning of the end for his Wisconsin chapter. He put the Port Washington house up for sale in 2019, hoping to make a clean break from his Midwest life.
His Wisconsin years had included both quiet neighborly moments and public controversies. In 2014, Diamond was arrested for a bar altercation in Port Washington that resulted in a four-month jail sentence.
Despite these troubles, many locals remembered Diamond fondly. One Port Washington bartender recalled the actor yelling his name across a store aisle, excited to see a familiar face from his adopted hometown.
Diamond’s Florida relocation proved short-lived. In January 2021, he was hospitalized in the Sunshine State after experiencing pain throughout his body, leading to his stage 4 small cell carcinoma diagnosis.
New Beginning After Diamond
In February 2023, Diamond’s former residence reappeared on the market. This time, the listing presented a completely different property, fully remodeled and renovated from its previously deteriorated state.
The transformation included an open-concept kitchen with stainless steel appliances, quartz countertops, and new white cabinets. Fresh carpet covered the bedroom floors, while beautiful tile adorned the renovated bathrooms.
A brand new deck extended from the back of the house, overlooking the spacious yard. The 3,500 square feet of finished space included a large recreation room and an additional master bedroom that could serve as an in-law suite.
The dramatic before-and-after contrast between the abandoned celebrity home and its renewed state represented a fresh chapter for the property that once housed a troubled television star, similar to how Bam Margera’s house interior has transformed throughout his public struggles.
The Legacy of Screech’s House
Diamond’s Wisconsin home ultimately came to represent the complicated legacy of child stardom. From its purchase during more prosperous times to its abandoned state and eventual renewal, the house told a story beyond its famous owner.
Port Washington residents still recall Diamond’s presence in their community. Some neighbors reported rarely seeing him leave the house, suggesting the property may have served as both home and refuge from public scrutiny.
Urban explorers and “Saved by the Bell” fans briefly turned the abandoned property into an object of morbid fascination. Videos touring the neglected home went viral on social media platforms, drawing both sympathy and criticism.
For many fans, the stark contrast between Screech’s lovable on-screen persona and the reality of Diamond’s abandoned home created a poignant reminder of fame’s fleeting nature and the challenges former child stars often face.
Far From His Wisconsin Home
When Diamond died on February 1, 2021, he was far from his long-time Wisconsin residence. In Florida, surrounded by close friends and his girlfriend, he succumbed to cancer just weeks after diagnosis.
His representatives stated that the disease spread rapidly through his system, offering only the mercy of swift execution. They emphasized that Diamond did not suffer extended pain in his final days.
Diamond’s dying wishes included meeting the bassist from his favorite band, Tool, and visiting the Star Wars exhibit at Disney World in Florida. These modest final requests reflected his lifelong interests beyond television fame.
Former castmates from “Saved by the Bell” paid tribute after his death, with Mark-Paul Gosselaar calling him “a true comedic genius” and Mario Lopez noting “the fragility of this life is something never to be taken for granted.”
Reveals About Celebrity Life
Dustin Diamond’s Port Washington house stands as a physical metaphor for the actor’s complex journey. What began as an investment during his post-“Saved by the Bell” years eventually became a burden he could no longer maintain.
The abandoned state of his home revealed the personal struggles hidden behind celebrity facades. While playing a beloved character on television, Diamond faced real-life challenges with finances, relationships, and eventually health.
Today, nothing remains of “Screech’s house” as it once existed. The renovated property bears no trace of its famous former owner, and the planned commercial development will further erase Diamond’s physical legacy in Port Washington.
Yet for fans of “Saved by the Bell” and residents of the small Wisconsin town, the story of Diamond’s house remains a fascinating chapter in pop culture history—a tangible connection to a television icon whose off-screen life proved far more complicated than his on-screen character, much like David Dobrik’s house represents his journey through internet fame and its complexities.
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